San Diego Off-Road Coalition

July 1999

Our July meeting will be on Tuesday the 6th, at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard at the corner of Ruffin Road. Their phone number is 619.279.6700. A buffet including all-you-can-eat pizza, salad and soft drinks for $7.00 will commence at 6:00 p.m., and the meeting proper will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Special guest speaker for the July meeting: Jim McGarvie! Jim will show the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on our proposed site for an OHV park in Lakeside that he used to dazzle the members of the Lakeside Community Planning Group and audience. Learn about our potential new park!

Don’t forget to bring some extra money for raffle tickets. Each month the pot gets bigger and the prizes get better. As with all our income, proceeds go to toward preserving and increasing our off-highway recreation opportunity.

We finally found a sucker... I mean, volunteer for our long-unfilled position of Special Events Chairman. Robert Molay has been doing an admirable job of taking our booth on the road for the past couple of months, and at our Board meeting this month we convinced him he should have the title to go with the work.

In accordance with SDORC bylaws, and with approval of Board members present, I have appointed Robert to the position subject to approval of the membership, which I shall seek at the July meeting.

Robert is already practicing up for his chairmanship: he is asking for volunteers to help man the booth at various local events. This is a wonderful opportunity to go to some interesting places and meet interesting people. If you like people, off-roading or, ideally, both, you’ll love helping out in our booth. Please give Robert a call at 619.660.0808

Have you visited SDORC's great web site at www.sdorc.org lately? Many thanks to Jeremy and Lori Hansen and Bill Quackenbush for one of the nicer sites around!

When I first moved to San Diego I used to load my dirt bike and haul it all the way to Miramar to spend the afternoon riding. Then I had to haul it all the way to Otay Mesa. Finally I was left with an hour and a half drive to Corral Canyon for a gnarly riding site. Attempts by the State Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Division, over the last few years, to acquire a close-in OHV site have ended in disaster. The Slaughter House Canyon fiasco left community members, OHV enthusiasts, and local legislators all saying nasty things about each other. Most off-roaders just threw up their hands in despair and gave up on the idea that we would ever have a place nearby to take the kids riding after school. Could all of this have happened because the bike I used to ride at Miramar, built by Kawasaki, was called a "Bushwacker" and the word got out? It's probably all my fault!

So I suggested to the leaders of the San Diego Off-Road Coalition that we try something different. Instead of asking the State OHV Division to send their staff to San Diego to look for property, we decided to take matters into our own hands. We started with a meeting with Supervisor Dianne Jacob who agreed to let bygones be bygones and have the SDORC start from scratch with a community driven effort to identify a potential site for an off-highway facility. If we expected her cooperation, Supervisor Jacob indicated that she would be looking for certain other objectives to be met. Foremost among these would be community acceptance as evidenced by approval from the local Community Planning Group. Equally important would be for us to find a "willing seller." Many property owners still have the mistaken concept that the development of an OHV park means the total destruction of the landscape. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Through the efforts of our Vice Chairman, John Elliott, who is also a real estate broker, we identified an 1100 acre parcel located just north of San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside. This property currently belongs to the East County Boys and Girls Clubs. After some serious begging and cajoling, Mr. Jerry Fazio, CEO of the organization agreed to meet with me for a few minutes over a cup of coffee. Mr. Fazio's initial attitude suggested that he did not feel that his Board of Directors would entertain the idea that their land should be used for an environmentally destructive project like an OHV park. After several meetings with Mr. Fazio, members of his Board, members of the SDORC and, eventually, members of the OHV division staff, the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors is enthusiastically behind the project! In fact, the Board approved Mr. Fazio's request that they pay for an update to their recent appraisal on the property so that it could be submitted to the State to see if it was acceptable by State standards.

At one point the new administration pulled the funding for over 90 projects statewide which had been allocated but unspent. The $4 million previously set aside for an OHV park in San Diego was one of the casualties. Thanks to an emergency phone, fax and e-mail campaign by local off-roaders and to the responsiveness of local politicians such as Steve Baldwin, Denise Ducheny, Dianne Jacob, David Kelley, Bill Morrow, Steve Peace and Charlene Zettel, the $4 million is back in the budget and awaiting the signature of Governor Davis.

Strangely enough, this budget stumbling block may pay off big time in the future. The SDORC, in petitioning our legislators, took the opportunity to educate them about the OHV community and the plans for the multi-use OHV facility being planned for San Diego County in Lakeside. Once people realize that OHV enthusiasts are mostly families participating in their chosen form of recreation and that the park being planned will be mostly open space and will serve many segments of the community, they all agree that this project will be good for San Diego. I think we will have their continuing support for a project that all of San Diego County will be proud of.

On Wednesday, June 16th, SDORC Chairman Jim McGarvie provided a very comprehensive, professional presentation about the proposed multi-use OHV facility to the Lakeside Community Planning Group. The purpose of the presentation was to solicit feedback from the group - positive or negative. Most of the members of the Planning Group and several members of the community commented on the proposed project. Not one negative comment was heard! Everyone recognizes the need for such a facility and agreed that the location proposed has almost no impact on residents in the area. The Planning Group Chairman, Gordon Shackelford, indicated that it is very important that "the concerns of neighboring property owners are addressed." Mr. McGarvie commented that this is very important to the SDORC as well. As part of his presentation, Mr. McGarvie submitted folders to each Planning Group member with 19 letters of support from leaders of the community including Jerry Fazio, CEO Boys and Girls Clubs; Frank Hilliker, Chairman of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce; Jeanette Perez, Executive Director Lakeside Chamber of Commerce; Kathleen Hayden, Backcountry Horsemen of California; and many Lakeside area business owners.

Jim repeated his presentation on Tuesday, June 22nd, for the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County. The proposed project was well received and plans are already being made for the Clubs to work with the SDORC on youth programs to be conducted at the park. A similar presentation will be made to the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce at their July meeting.

Where do we go from here? On Thursday, June 24th, officers of the SDORC met with Supervisor Jacob and Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs to coordinate plans to continue efforts. Supervisor Jacob suggested that a committee be formed, comprised of knowledgeable local community members, to coordinate, with the State, the continuing planning and design effort for the park. All feedback received to date suggests that the community likes the concept of having the program driven and coordinated by community members rather than by the State of California. Supervisor Jacob's attitude is that, "If we're going to do this, it is going to be the best park of this type in the State!" And the only way to accomplish this is with local participation and local direction.

With this in mind, the SDORC intends to stay involved throughout the planning and design phase for the proposed multi-use OHV park. Input from all segments of the community will be solicited. Plans already include considerations for equestrian trails, mountain bike trails, environmental education areas, a 4-wheel drive training course, youth program areas, a skate board facility, a BMX track, a Youth Area Wilderness Experience campground, a picnic area, hiking trails and plenty of open space. This would all be coordinated with motorcycle trails, ATV trails, jeep trails and the normal competition tracks. Areas for community events such as fundraisers and group activities will enhance the multi-use concept.

This is a long-overdue facility that the entire community will be proud of and that will put Lakeside on the map while significantly increasing tourist expenditures in East County.

A special breakfast meeting was held for SDORC business members at Tyler Restaurant in El Cajon on Monday, June 21^st. SDORC Business Chairman Roy Denner prepared a well organized presentation with a very full agenda. Those who attended enjoyed a large delicious breakfast and received packets filled with important information on issues that could impact OHV related businesses in San Diego County. Among the agenda items discussed were CARB regulations affecting OHV’s, personal watercraft and gas cans, legislative impacts, forest road moratorium, fee programs on public lands, local OHV park, and San Diego County trails. Assisting Roy with the presentation were Jim and Jan McGarvie and John Elliott. Those who missed this important breakfast meeting will have another opportunity in September. Watch for the upcoming date announcement in your newsletter.

In late May the Coalition received a letter from the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD) of the California Department of Parks and Recreation stating that our grant application requesting funds for trail maintenance was approved. This grant request was submitted last October under the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) which I will explain more about later. Our project was ranked twelfth out of twenty-two eligible projects in California this year. The grant was prepared by myself in cooperation with the Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest and is the first grant that has been applied for and awarded to the Coalition. Grant funds requested and approved for this project are in the amount of $12,187.

Under the terms of the grant the Descanso Ranger District will rent a specialized trail machine, called a Sweco, to repair rutted and washed out trail sections and will prepare and install Carsonite signs to mark and identify the trails. The grant will provide the funds to rent the Sweco machine and supplies to operate it, delivery and return of the Sweco and to purchase the trail signs and markers. RTP grants require that a minimum of 20 percent of the cost of the project come from other sources. This is called Matching Funds and may be comprised of materials, services or labor. For this project the matching funds are in the form of labor being provided by the Forest Service and labor being provided by volunteers from the Coalition or other interested groups or individuals. For the grant application this amount was estimated at $9,450.

Before any work can actually begin on this project there are a couple of forms and a detailed work plan that must be filed by the Coalition. We are working on these and will be submitting them soon. Also the Ranger District needs to complete a Federal Environmental Certification which is really just a formality because this is a repair and maintenance project and not new construction. The requested grant funds will be paid after the project work is completed and a payment request is submitted. Since this grant was awarded to the Coalition we are responsible for the documentation and administration of the project, which I will be handling.

The plan is for the Ranger District to rent the equipment and procure the signs and markers. With the volunteer help and the District personnel the work will be performed at Corral Canyon. The actual trail work with the Sweco is being planned for next spring at the end of the rainy season. This is the best time to do the dirt work while the ground is still moist but after the majority of the rain. Signs could be installed at any time which will be decided at a later date. After the work is completed the Forest Service will provide invoices to the coalition for the project costs incurred and we will submit these with a project report to the RTP Grant administrators for reimbursement.

The following is some information about RTP Grants that I mentioned earlier I would provide. The grants come from the National Recreational Trails Act which is part of federal highway legislation that was passed by Congress and signed by the President last year. This is a new program which follows on to the original one created in 1991. This trails program includes funds for non-motorized (30%), motorized (30%) and diverse (40%) trails projects. Nationwide the amount of funds available in this program are $30 million for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 1998, $40 million for FY 1999 and $50 million per year for FY 2000 through 2003. California’s shares are approximately $2 million in FY 1998, $2.7 in FY 1999 and $3.5 in FY 2000 through 2003.

This all sounds simple enough right? The first step was successful and we think it should work out well. If anyone would like to be involved in helping with this project please contact the Coalition. Also, if you have any recommendations on trail sections at Corral Canyon that you know need to be repaired or any that you want left as is then please let us know too. We are the administrator and manager of this project and welcome any help that is available.

The next application deadline for RTP grants is October 1, 1999. Almost $1 million will be available for motorized projects in California. If you have any ideas or suggestions for projects then please let us know. If you are part of an organization that would like to apply for a grant contact us and we can let you know how.

A few members of the OHV community are going to appear in Anza for their Fourth of July festival in order to show support for the reopening of Coyote Canyon. If you can attend please contact Jim Arbogast of CORVA at Jimarbo@aol.com or CORVA President Ed Waldheim at EdWaldheim@aol.com or (800) 339-2097 ext 215.

We will be holding our Annual Summer Beach Party on Sunday, August 29 at the Silver Strand Beach State Park. For details contact H.P. Tietz at 619.561.2387.

We wish to acknowledge Buffalo Metal Works and Stuart Klein of StreamLine Graphics for their most generous donations. Thanks folks!

Burke Jones of Mail Box Etc. has offered to laminate SDORC membership cards for free. Stop by one of his stores and take him up on his generous offer. They are located at:

Clairemont Village La Jolla Colony
3089-C Clairemont Drive 7770 Regents Rd.
619.275.2380 619.453.7331

Clairemont Square
4735 Clairemont Square
619.490.1690

The few hours spent at Orosco OHV Park was a nice Sunday morning get-away. Located in Ramona, Orosco OHV park is part of Cleveland National Forest. The park is open to all green-stickered vehicles and use is restricted to existing roads. Horse riders also use this park so please keep their safety in mind when you approach them.

When you first enter the park, the road takes you down to a small open area where there is limited parking, but some room for trucks and trailers. You cross over a large cement bridge then start going up the mountain.

We saw a wild turkey and a large number of lizards. The view is worth the ride to the top. The road comes to a "T" and we took the road to the right. Toward the end of the road you'll see a pipe gate. If you are in anything larger than a Jeep Wrangler I would suggest you turn around as soon as you see the gate; there is no turn-around at the gate.

In past years Orosco was open to shooting in the winter and as the weather turned warm and fire became a greater risk they would close it to shooting. I don't know about this year; the guy I spoke to at the Cleveland N.F. didn't seem to know what I was talking about. If you are concerned about it call the Palomar Ranger District at 760.788.0250.

To get there take Highway 67 north to Highway 78 west (left at the Arco station), and make a right on Harverford Road. Haverford turns into Pamo. Go past the landfill down to the bottom of the hill, and the park will be on the left.

Thanks to the following new and renewing members:

Jeff & Susan Archer, Steve Bourgeois, Buffalo Metal Works, Frank & La Vonne Carey, Donald Diffenbaugh, Duncan Racing, George English, Randall Farrar, Fun Bike Center, Craig Hartsock, House of Motorcycles, Kawasaki Motors Corp., Matthew Kleifgen & Family, Reid Kourbolas, Tony Ligutti, Sean McGarvie, Mike's Metal Works, Robert Molay, North County Yamaha, Oceanside Cycle Supply, Off Road Warehouse, Quackenbush Construction, Jeff Riddle, Randy Roberts, Ron Bishop Motorcycles, Roger St. Clair, StreamLine Graphics, Henry & Carry Tietz, Allen & Kevie White, Kevin Williams and Bob Wright.

Need a membership form? They are available online at http://www.sdorc.org/join.html. Membership questions? Contact me, via e-mail: billq@san.rr.com

Just a reminder to support our Preferred Merchants, as they support us with their discounts, donations and contributions.

Alignment and Brake Specialties, Arma Coatings, Aros Trailers, C&D Cycle Center, County Motor Parts, Cycle Parts West, Descanso Trading Post, Fun Bike Center, House of Motorcycles, K-CO Construction Inc., Law offices of Gary Quackenbush, Lemon Grove Motorcycles, Mail Boxes Etc., Motorsport Warehouse, Motoworld of El Cajon, Off-road Warehouse, Party Time Liquor, Rhino Linings of El Cajon, Webb's RV Supply and Wilson Machine Works.

Alignment & Brake Specialties, American Metal Processing, Arma Coatings, Brattin Motors, Brigantine Restaurants, Buffalo Metal Works, C&D Cycle Center, Chenowth Racing Products, Crazy Keven's, Cycle Parts West, D&R Automotive, Daily Californian, Douglas Wheels Inc., Duncan Racing, Escondido Cycle Center, Event Photography, Explorer Competition Products, Fabcom, Fiber-Tech, Fritz Garage, Fun Bike Center, Gilmore Off Road, Gold Belt Line. Inc., Green Fascination, Hansen Loan Services, House Of Buggies, House Of Motorcycles, Johnson's Bug Machine, Kawasaki Motors Corp., K-CO Construction Inc., Law Offices of Gary Quackenbush, Lemon Grove Motorcycles, Mail Boxes Etc., Mark Price & Assoc., Mazzone Sandcars, McMillin Realty, Mike's Metal Works, Motorsport Warehouse, Motoworld of El Cajon, North County Yamaha, Oceanside Cycle Supply, Off Road Warehouse, Party Time Liquor, Quackenbush Construction, Rick's Buggy Works, Ron Bishop Motorcycles, San Diego Off Road Magazine, Sand Sports Magazine, Sand Tires Unlimited, Scrib's Motorcycle, SMD Motorsports, StreamLine Graphics, Sunlight Press, THOR, Tops International, Unique Mortgage, Webb's RV Supply and Wilson's Machine Works.

HELP SDORC WHILE HELPING YOUR BUSINESS!

The wonderful folks at Slime have contributed to SDORC an entire dealer display rack with a full stock of Slime. Now all SDORC has to do is convert that into money!

According to Slime, the retail value of the stock is over $1,100 and the dealer's cost is over $500. The display stand has a small footprint, and includes a demonstration tire and ice pick!

Please call our Business Representative Roy Denner at 619.443.9101 or e-mail rdennerjr@aol.com with your offer. Free delivery in the San Diego area.

KTM 1997 360SX motocross motorcycle for sale. Great condition! Seldom ridden. Many accessories. $3300 OBO. 619.443.9101

WANTED! Volunteers to help SDORC with anything and everything! We need help manning our booth at events, cleaning up our designated highway section and area trails, acting as liaison at your favorite off-road dealer, making occasional phone calls, and other tedious (and, of course, unrewarded) tasks. Please give us a call if you’d like to help out once in a while. Thanks!